Air particulates and exercise

With the North State in flames, exercise caution during outdoor workouts

This article was published on 10.02.14

It’s been smoky in the North State recently, and that’s bad news for runners and cyclists. While exercising outdoors has myriad health benefits, exercising on poor air-quality days can have adverse effects such as damage to airways of the lungs, increased risk of asthma, and worsening of existing respiratory conditions. To minimize those risks:

• Monitor air pollution levels. For daily updates on air quality in Butte County, go to www.bcaqmd.org.

• Time workouts to avoid exercising midday, when pollution levels tend to be highest.

• Exercise indoors on days when air quality is particularly poor.

Source: MayoClinic.org